Many organizations are trading in their training programs for group coaching. Here’s why.
What exactly is group coaching?
Group coaching is where the magic happens. This is where growth-minded professionals come together to tackle their challenges head-on.
Imagine a room (even a Zoom room) buzzing with energy. You’ve got a room of people with a mix of personalities, experiences, and perspectives, all focused on one thing—growth. At the helm is an experienced coach, not there to lecture but to guide and stimulate thoughts.
In this scenario, the coach taps into the group’s collective brainpower. Someone’s challenge becomes everyone’s learning opportunity. A comment that comes from out of the blue sparks a breakthrough for several of the participants.
The structure of group coaching
The group is carefully curated. In some situations, participants come from the same company and typically work at the same level in their organization. Some groups may consist of individuals who work in different companies.
The actual structure of the meetings is fluid. The group typically sets the agenda with guidance from the coach. The coach keeps things on track, but the real value comes from the organic exchanges between participants.
Unlike training programs, where participants are often passive listeners, participants are active contributors, where each person is encouraged to share their unique experiences with others. This approach creates many “aha” moments that ripple through the group, sparking new ideas and insights for others.
The value of group coaching
Group coaching has a multiplier effect that creates breakthroughs that would take years to happen if each person participated in one-on-one coaching. Suddenly, you have a room full of people ready to charge ahead together with a new initiative that’s come about because of their collaboration. Perspectives are shifting as participants are exposed to new ways of thinking. People who used to be gunning at one another are now supporting each other. You’re creating a ripple effect that touches every aspect of your organization.
But here’s the kicker—these behavioral changes don’t stop when the session ends. Participants take what they’ve learned and share this with their teams. Boom! More sparks fly, and silos fall.
A great side benefit of group coaching is the creation of a healthier culture, where vulnerability is widely accepted and, in fact, encouraged. Employees are willing to take more risks, which is the key to innovation.
And, of course, we can’t forget about the bottom line. Sure, group coaching is cost-effective, as you can provide coaching to a number of people for the same price as it would cost you to provide coaching to a handful of individuals.
But more importantly, group coaching yields impactful results company-wide. You’re raising the skill levels of your entire leadership team. That means better and quicker decision-making, increased innovation, faster execution, and a more engaged workforce. And happier employees are more likely to recommend others to your organization, making it much easier and less expensive to attract top talent.
So, if you’re wondering how to best develop your employees, consider group coaching. And remember, this isn’t solely about professional development—this is about organizational transformation, which is vital to organizations that want to remain relevant for years to come.